Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Pittsburgh from above

As long time readers of this blog know that while I've called Washington, DC home for nearly 13 years I'm originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; home to Heinz ketchup, robber barons, Andy Warhol, and Mr. Rogers.

This past labor day weekend I had the chance to play tour-guide for a few friends on a quick trip to the city which is thankfully only a 4 hour drive from DC. Seeing your 'home' from a visitor's viewpoint is always eye-opening and left me with a new-found appreciation for the city.

After a day spent at Kennywood (a historic and very pretty amusement park set amid gardens) we visited downtown Pittsburgh from above. No not from a helicopter but on one of the 2 remaining funicular's or "inclines" which lead one from the river's edge up to the neighborhood of Mt. Washington overlooking the city. I believe at one time there were 13 of these cars operating along the river, some of which could even carry cars!

We had typical "Pittsburgh weather" as I call it - overcast and drizzly - but the sun was able to breakout a few times to enjoy the view.

If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh treat yourself to a round trip on one of the 'inclines'!

As a fellow Pittsburgher, I two would take visitors up the incline for that spectacular view from Mt. Washington. I once saw the engine room of the incline (this was back in the 1970s) and was startled to discover that the machinery included wooden gears!!

Stefan,As a teen we would visit Pittsburg to visit with my parents friends. I haven't been back since. I want to ride the incline, tour the city, that over the past decade has become an alluring city to visit. Clean and beautiful and I want to wander through the Warhol museum. I feel a Fall trip being coordinated because ... One of my close friends Kim grew up in Pittsburg and his Mom still lives there. Seeing Pittsburg through the eyes of a former resident would be wonderful. Nice post!Vera

Pittsburgh--great place! When I was a kid, my parents had a friend with an office on an upper floor of the Union Trust Building. I highly recommend its Gothic atrium as a venue for flying paper airplanes. For some amusing Pittsburgh-ese, check out Greg & Donny Have An Accent on YouTube. Keep up the good work and Go Stillers!